Smarter BOMs in Business Central: Beyond the Structure Page
Ever tried to follow a multi‑level BOM in Business Central with coffee in one hand and a deadline in the other? The Structure view is excellent for seeing relationships, but it doesn’t answer the real‑world questions fast enough: Can we actually build this today? What’s short, and how do I tweak the BOM without a recertification scavenger hunt? (Yes, editing standard production BOMs means juggling statuses—New/Under Development vs. Certified—before you’re allowed to change anything.)
The Business Central Baseline
Business Central gives you production BOMs and versions, certification rules, and routing links to tie components to operations (useful for JIT flushing) (see “Create production BOMs” and “Create routings”). Phantom production BOMs help structure demand without creating finished items. There’s even a BOM Structure page in the native Business Central, but it’s primarily for viewing—not for making efficient, context-aware edits while evaluating shortages and cost impacts.
Where Multi‑Level BOM Viewer Fits
Insight Works’ Multi‑Level BOM Viewer lets you open a production BOM directly (not just from an item), visualize the whole hierarchy, and see supply/demand & shortages for a target quantity—all in one place. You can edit lines in context (Type, No., Qty. per, UoM, Routing Link Code, etc.), flip a component into a phantom or production BOM, and even launch a diagram view for cross‑team conversations. The app centralizes this analysis and streamlines certification friction when you make changes.
Day-in-the-Life Workflow (BC + Multi‑Level BOM Viewer)
- Open the Production BOM Directly: Skip the item card and proceed directly to the production BOM. The viewer provides direct access, saving clicks and allowing you to focus on the structure itself.
- Set a Target Quantity: Enter the quantity you need to build—say 10 units—and the viewer instantly recalculates component demand. Shortages are flagged immediately, so you know if production is feasible.
- Check Availability by Location and Date: Filter by location or date range to see whether components are available where and when you need them. This helps confirm feasibility or trigger replenishment actions early.
- Explore the Hierarchy: Drill into the BOM at any level—whether in tabular list or diagram view—while maintaining the overall context. This makes complex, multi-level assemblies easy to follow.
- Edit in Context: Make changes right where you’re working. Update Type, No., Quantity per, Unit of Measure, or add a Routing Link Code so components align with the correct operation.
- Convert Components on the Fly: Need a component to act as a phantom or its own production BOM? Switch it instantly without the recertification headaches—Business Central supports it, and the viewer makes it quick and easy.
- Export for Costing: Send the BOM data straight to Excel. From there, finance can run quick costing or budget reviews without extra manual data entry.
Benefits (what users feel)
- Speed & accuracy: One screen answers “What’s short?” and “What changed?”—less hunting, fewer mistakes.
- Cost control: Fast exports support precise costing and planning reviews.
- Happier teams: The diagram view makes complex structures obvious to non-engineers.
- Scalability: Edit lower‑level BOMs not tied to items; keep pace with engineering changes.
Reality Check
The viewer doesn’t replace core BC governance—you still operate within BC’s BOM rules (e.g., certification states) even if the app streamlines those steps behind the scenes (Microsoft requires Certified BOMs for use; editing typically occurs when New/Under Development). For international plants or advanced scheduling, pair with your existing planning stack.
If the Structure page tells you what, Multi‑Level BOM Viewer helps you decide now what, without leaving the context of the BOM you’re evaluating. Fewer clicks, faster answers, calmer planners. Ready to trade BOM whiplash for clarity? Grab Multi‑Level BOM Viewer from AppSource or learn more at BOMsForDynamics.com.